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Contents:
What Is an Abstract? Why Are Abstracts Used? What Is Usually Included in an Abstract Qualities of a Good Abstract Steps for Writing Effective Abstracts Types of Thesis How to Say Them in English Length of Abstracts A Simple Abstract Structure Abstract and Thesis Titles and Headings Abstract Language Sample Abstracts Sources and Further Reading Exercise on the Use of Capitals in Headings
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What Is an Abstract?
An abstract is a greatly condensed version of a longer piece of writing that highlights the major points covered, and concisely describes the content and scope of the writing.
uses one or more well developed paragraphs: these are unified, coherent, concise uses an introduction/body/conclusion structure which presents the purpose, results, conclusions, and recommendations follows the chronology of the thesis provides logical connections between the information included adds no new information, but simply summarizes often uses passive verbs to downplay the author and emphasize information
write the abstract after you have finished the thesis identify the aims, methods, scope, results, conclusions, and recommendations of your thesis in key words use your headings and table of contents as a guide to writing your abstract when you have finished use spellcheck software show the abstract to someone who has not read your thesis and ask him / her if the abstract makes good sense
Length of Abstracts
150350 words should be enough for an abstract for a bachelors or masters thesis, but you can check with your thesis supervisor.
Examples thesis headings: The Use of Abstracts in International Contexts: A Comparative Study Personnel Management in European IT Companies, with Particular Reference to McElroy Ltd, Dublin The Development of Glass Fibre Technologies at Bond AG, Munich The use of with Particular Reference to is a good way of expressing the German am Beispiel von which is often used in thesis titles. You can also just use a preposition, at or in: The Introduction of RFID Technology in the University Library at UAS Wildau
Example abstract heading: Greg Bond, Business and Law, University of Applied Sciences Wildau Abstract of Bachelors Thesis, Submitted 29 February 2009: The Use of English in Business Law Degrees in Germany, in Particular at UAS Wildau
Abstract Language
Introduction (usually in present, could also be in present perfect or simple past tense):
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of ... on ... The goals of this study are to determine The primary purpose of this study is to determine This study is specifically concerned with the effect of on This study is an initial attempt to investigate the relationship This study has two major purposes: (1) to investigate ... (2) to demonstrate The aim of this study is to identify the characteristics of The major objective of this study is to The aim/topic/goal of the present paper is to This thesis discusses/describes/analyses/studies/focuses on/deals with This study/experiment/research/survey was aimed at developing/improving/testing The project was designed to
6 Using local and national data, this study was designed to investigate. This questionnaire investigated how companies view their A questionnaire was distributed/mailed/sent to Respondents filled in a form/indicated their preferences/rated each item. Responses were made on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from to The response rate was All 59 subjects participated in the study. Interviews were conducted by/with The interviews were recorded on audiotape.
Further vocabulary 1. Verbs: show, demonstrate, illustrate, prove, argue, examine, explore, look into,
consider, deal with, address, involve, relate to, refer to, draw on, explain, investigate, highlight, outline, provide an overview of, define, distinguish between, indicate, support, reveal, suggest, conclude, recommend
3. Connecting words: however, first, second, then, finally, thus, for example,
furthermore, in addition, in conclusion, by contrast, nonetheless, consequently, etc.
Sample abstracts 1
Greg Bond, Business and Law, University of Applied Sciences Wildau Abstract of Bachelors Thesis, Submitted 29 February 2009: Writing Abstracts in English for Bachelors and Masters Theses at the UAS Wildau
The aim of this thesis is to investigate and identify the present status of abstract writing in English for bachelors and masters theses at the UAS Wildau, and to make recommendations for students who are required to produce abstracts in English. In the first part, results of a short empirical survey of the university faculties and degree programs are presented. These show that there is growing demand for student abstracts in English, but at present students receive very little guidance in this matter. The thesis then identifies the uses of an English abstract, and further outlines the structure of an abstract. In a detailed central section the thesis provides students with useful practical tips on the language of abstracts, including rules for creating headings and titles, and giving lists of phrases and vocabulary that are commonly used in abstracts. Here, the thesis draws on a number of sources from other universities and books on academic writing in English. In conclusion, the thesis argues that abstract writing in English is essential but that students should not be expected to be able to write good abstracts without assistance. This thesis hopes to offer all UAS Wildau students useful tips on writing abstracts in English, and thus make a small contribution to improving the general standard of bachelors and masters theses.
Sample abstracts 2
Greg Bond, Physics Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Wildau Abstract of Masters Thesis, Submitted 29 February 2009: Development of NonoXYZ Technologies to Ascertain the Existence of Cheese on the Moon
The aim of this thesis is to test the use of NonoXYZ technologies in ascertaining the existence of cheese on the moon. NonoXYZ technologies have been successfully used to test the existence of water in Wildau, but to date no further applications are known. For this reason the author decided to test further applications, with the aim of describing the technologys suitability for further development. This thesis first examines the testing procedures for the water in Wildau experiment, and presents the results. In a second stage several adaptations to NonoXYZ for the testing of the existence of cheese on the moon are undertaken. Finally the technology is applied to the question of cheese on the moon, within a six-week testing phase. At the end of each week the testing apparatus is fine tuned, and experiment results are charted every twenty-four hours. The results of the experiment show that NonoXYZ technologies are well suited to ascertaining the presence of water in Wildau, but were unable to be sufficiently modified for the purpose of ascertaining the existence of cheese on the moon. The author recommends further modification to the technology before any other uses are considered.
North Karelia University, language services department, guidelines for writing an abstract
In the UAS Wildau university library: Jordan, R.R., Academic Writing Course, Longman, 2002 Oshima, Alice and Hogue, Ann, Writing Academic English, Pearson Education, New York, 2006 Zemach, Dorothy E. and Lisa A. Rumisek Zemach, Dorothy E. and Lisa A. Rumisek, Academic Writing from Paragraph to Essay, Macmillan, 2005
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